December 5, 1931 ~ February 13, 2013

Lyle Vern Thacker, 81, of Pleasant Grove passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 surrounded by his family.

Lyle was born in Charleston, Utah on 5 December, 1931 in his grandmother's home.

He was the youngest of 12 children, born to Charles David and Alice Jane Wagstaff Thacker.

His youth was spent in Charleston near the Provo River. The area included open areas, trees, and no close neighbors. His family had no running water or electricity, so they used an outhouse, a well for water, and coal oil lamps for light. The LDS Church was the center of their activities. The Heber Creeper train track crossed nearby.

The proposed building of Deer Creek Dam meant their property and home would be covered with water, so the Thackers bought a home in Vineyard in Utah Valley. The family eventually moved back to Heber where Lyle graduated from Wasatch High School and seminary in 1949

He then attended BYU, where he met Marcene Kelsey. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 22, 1953. He began a military career in November 1949, joining the Army National Guard in American Fork. He continued in his military career, in the guard and the Reserve, retiring as a Colonel after 33 years of service.

He graduated from the U of U in 1963 and taught 4th grade in the Jordan School District. He taught for seven years, then took leave to go to graduate school at BYU in Educational Administration where he received two more degrees. He taught school for a total of 12 years, then served as a principal for 18 years, retiring at the age of 62.

Lyle served his community in the Kiwanis Club for over 40 years. He served as chairman of the PG Strawberry Days celebration one year, and was the parade's Grand Marshal in 1986.

Lyle was a devout member of the LDS Church and served in many callings including: Bishop, Stake President, Stake Patriarch, and Temple Worker. In 1986, he became the first person in Utah to receive a liver transplant. His life was miraculously preserved at that time, allowing him to serve the Lord, his stake members, and his family for many more years.

Lyle is survived by his wife Marcene; five children: Karen (Bruno) Marberger, Riverton; Luanne Holden, Orem; Kirk (Debra) Thacker, Highland; Mark Thacker, Lehi and Brett (Rachel) Thacker, Lindon; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; three siblings: Luella Hellewell, Ogden; Mae Wright, Cedar Hills and Lowell (Colleen) Thacker, Neola.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 2:00 pm in the Timpanogos Stake Center, 795 North 100 West, Pleasant Grove.

Family and friends may attend a viewing Friday evening from 6-8 pm at Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Utah National Guard.